A chronic heroin addict and father of three, found in possession of cannabis valued over €750,000 was jailed for 10 years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court this afternoon.
Jason Cullen (34), of Rathcoole Drive, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for the purposes of sale or supply on November 13th 2003 at a house on Westbourne Green, Clondalkin.
John McGrane (43) of the Westbourne Green address was earlier jailed for eight years on similar charges.
The court heard that McGrane’s house was under surveillance on the arrest date when gardaí observed a truck arrive carrying pallets of air conditioners.
McGrane arrived in the truck with the driver and assisted him in unloading the container. He was then seen stripping the air conditioning units outside the house and removing four bags containing a brown substance.
Forensic analysis later revealed this substance to be 118 kgs of cannabis resin and gardai had been tracking the movements of the substance from its earlier arrival at Dublin Port.
Judge Yvonne Murphy heard that Cullen, who has 11 previous convictions for offences including larceny and robbery.
In imposing a 10 year sentence which can be reviewed after six years, Judge Murphy said the value and quantity of the drugs was at the upper end of the scale.
She said people who get involved in the supply of drugs couldn’t expect undue leniency from the court.